Group Relations is a body of practice rooted in the socio-technical systems psychodynamic tradition developed at the Tavistock Institute of Human Relations.

As such it provides a way of thinking, seeing and being in the world that is rooted in a deeper appreciation of the individual as a product of the cultural fabric in which they are situated.

As the world takes its journey through the 2^nd and 3^rd wave of lockdowns, this 4^th Patchwork has emerged from the global group of Group Relations scholarly practitioners. It is timely that the Patchwork is released on Day 4 (Thursday 28 Jan) of the DAVOS online gathering of the World Economic Forum. Phrases such as #Building Back Better, #The Great Reset, #Future of Work portend a dramatic set of changes emerging in the 4^th Industrial Revolution.

The first 3 Industrial Revolutions many argue did not have an equitable impact on all people. The Covid-19 impact has been variable across the world, but it seems to be disproportionately affecting the UK and USA in terms of deaths. How the developing world is impacted is yet to emerge fully. However, the World Economic Forum website states:

“The COVID-19 pandemic has demonstrated that no institution or individual alone can address the economic, environmental, social and technological challenges of our complex, interdependent world. The pandemic has accelerated systemic changes that were apparent before its inception. The fault lines that emerged in 2020 now appear as critical crossroads in 2021. The time to rebuild trust and to make crucial choices is fast approaching as the need to reset priorities and the urgency to reform systems grow stronger around the world.”

This 4^th Patchwork does not offer answers, but as we all grapple with making sense of our experiences in this context, “Food for Thought” remains a significant challenge. Food will literally be our next challenge. We still have food in the shops, however, to the end of 2021/22, as food supplies dwindle, we may have a chance to test our commitment to interconnection. Will nations hoard food in preparation for famine, or will they work collaboratively to distribute resources for all? It could be that the Northern Nations will be seeking aid from the fertile soils of the nations in the South – that would indeed be a #Great Reset.

Leslie Brissett

For more information about Group Relations programme and thinking please email Leslie on l.birssett@tavinstitute.org

Read the 4th Patchwork:

Click here to open fullscreen